Micromammals in the diet of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) at the W.W.F.'s Oasi San Giuliano (Matera, South Italy)

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<strong>Abstract</strong> The presence of small mammals in the winter diet of a dormitory made up of 5 specimens living at the WWF's Oasi San Giuliano (province of Matera) is analysed in the following study. The data confirm the presence of small mammals, Microtinae in particular, as a main prey of the Long-eared Owl. 1921 prey-individuals totalling 37695 grams in biomass were found. Rodentia are dominant (86.93% of the biomass); <em>Microtus savii</em> is of particular importance and represents 61.06% of the total biomass and was found in 60.42% of the pellets found. The second most frequently hunted species is the <em>Apodemus</em> sp.: 24.06% of the biomass, 37.08% of the frequency. The other mammals preyed on (<em>Suncus etruscu</em>s, <em>Crocidura</em> sp., <em>Pipistrellus</em> sp., <em>Vespertilius</em> sp., <em>Rattus</em> sp., <em>Moscardinus avellanarius</em>) are of l

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